Cleary University

Ombudsman

The role of the Ombudsman is to provide assistance to students, faculty, and staff in identifying and evaluating their options for resolving and managing conflicts, provide mediation support, and make referrals to other appropriate university and community resources.

The Ombudsman provides a completely confidential, independent and neutral dispute resolution service for all members of the university community.

In the event of an emergency, the Ombudsman is the main contact between the student, the student’s family and the University. When a student emergency exists, the Ombudsman has the responsibility for notifying the student’s instructors, and for contacting family members and other appropriate personnel.

The Ombudsman may advise an individual on how to make an official complaint to the University about a particular problem. They may also identify problem and conflict areas within the University and recommend improvements to the University leadership.

Conflict Management Process

Ombudsman Resources

Student Rights, Responsibilities and Code of Conduct

What Can the Ombudsman Do for You?

Listen and discuss questions, concerns, and complaints of students about the functioning of the university, including policies and procedures, the actions of others, and unfair treatment.
Help students develop problem solving skills and promote critical thinking so students will be better able to act on their own behalf in resolving conflicts.
Assist students in evaluating and assessing a variety of options to address their concerns.
Answer questions, help students formulate appropriate questions, and find others who can provide the correct answer.
Identify problems and conflict areas within the University and recommend improvements.
Make referrals for mediation, counseling, and dispute resolution services, and assist in creating a helping network for students.
Provide a safe and confidential setting where students feel respected and where they can be candid and forthright.

What the Ombudsman Cannot Do for You

Take part in any formal grievance process, hearing or judicial process.
Make administrative or academic decisions for any other part of the University.
Assign sanctions.
Give legal advice.
Accept official “notice” for the University about issues. If someone wishes to put the University “on notice” that is make the University formally aware of a particular problem, we can provide information on how to do so.

Contact the Ombudsman if you:

Have a problem or conflict involving the University and don’t know where to go to solve it.
Have an emergency that requires notification of instructors or family members.
Feel your concerns are not being heard.
Need information about policies and procedures affecting you at Cleary University.
Believe your rights have been violated or you have not been given due process.
Need help to resolve or mediate a dispute.
Feel you have been treated unfairly or insensitively or that you are being subjected to intimidating, bullying, or emotionally “toxic” behavior.
Think that the University has make an error but has not acknowledged it.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a key characteristic of the Ombudsman’s Office. The office does not divulge a client’s name or the nature of the issure being discussed without the client’s consent. With the student’s permission, individuals whose help is necessary to resolve a specific problem may be contacted. The office acts only with your permission – except in an unusual situation of imminent risk of serious harm where there appears to be no responsible option except to act without permission.

David Victor
Ombudsman
Wellness Building
ombudsman@cleary.edu
(517) 338-3016

Cleary University Ombudsman

David Victor

Sports Information Director
Student Ombudsman